Henry County was organized from Shelby
County in 1799. In 1824, Oldham was established from Henry, Shelby and Jefferson. In 1837, Trimble was established from Gallatin, Henry and Oldham. In 1838, Carrollwas established from Henry, Gallatin and Trimble.

Most, if not all, of the early Combs Families of this county appear to have been descendants of Samuel & Mary WILKES Combs of Loudoun Co., VA and Nelson Co., KY Much of what is known of the Henry Co., KY
COMBS &c. Families was gained from either the William F. Coombs Manuscript or the Kentucky family history book, Kentucky: A History of the State," Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 6th edition, 1887. Fortunately numerous early Marriage Records are also extant. These families include the families of Jonah Combs and Thomas Combs, a nephew of Jonah who came to Henry Co., KY from Hardin Co., KY sometime before 1827 when he married his second wife Paulina Ashburn.

Jonah COMBS, son of Samuel COMBS (and Mary WILKES per WF Coombs ms), was in Henry Co., KY by 1810. Henry was born ca 1765, died after 4 Jul 1827(S-8); married first Unknown Garrett and had issue:

WILLIAM T. CHILTON was born in Henry County, May 20, 1858, the eldest of two sons and one daughter born to Joseph S. and Harriett J. (COMBS) Chilton. His father, a native of Henry County, was born in 1838, is a well-to-do farmer and stock trader, and was associated with Bailly, Irving, Scott & Co., of Madison, Ind., and is one of the directors of the First National Bank of New Castle. His mother was born in Henry County, and is a member of the Christian Church. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John CHILTON, was a native of Fauquier County, Va., came to Kentucky in an early day, and was among the first settlers of Turner's Station, Henry County. His maternal grandfather, Jesse COMBS, (see above) was a native of Henry County, and a well-to-do farmer. Our subject passed his early life with his father on the farm. In his twenty-third year he entered Georgetown College where he remained for one session. He was united in marriage, December 20, 1882, with Lilly M. SMITH of Henry County, and one son and one daughter followed their union, Leslie K., born May 4, 1884, and Mary, born June 8, 1886. Mr. CHILTON has a farm of 334 acres situated near Campbellsburg, which he successfully manages, and is looked upon a sone of Henry County's enterprising citizens.
He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1881, has risen to the degree of Royal Arch, andis present Worshipful Master of Henry Lodge,
No. 249. He is also a member of the Christian Church. (Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 6th ed., 1887, Henry Co)

Note:See AlsoLoudoun Co., VA Tithables, 1770, which lists an Elisha COMBS with a George CHILTON; and also the CHELTON (a.k.a. SHELTON)-COMBS marriages in Halifax Co., VA.
(Trimble Co., KY) Jesse C. HANCOCK, M. D., was born near New Castle, Henry Co., Ky.,
March 5, 1839, and is a son of Thomas B. and Lucy (COOMBS) Hancock, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky. Thomas B., who was born in 1800, came to Henry County when quite young with his father, Simon HANCOCK, and afterward became sheriff of the county, and a colonel in the State militia. His death occurred in 1879. Jesse C. HANCOCK was reared on a farm in Henry County until 1858, when he began to read medicine with Dr. S. C. YAGER, at Sligo. He then attended lectures at Miami Medical College, and graduated from that institution in 1866. He had practiced, however, since 1863, at Harmony in Owen County, and in 1866 removed to Bedford,Trimble County, where he has since resided and been engaged in active practice, and is now the president of the county board of health. In March, 1865, he married Miss Kate, daughter of Dr. Sanford C. YAGER, a
native of Oldham County, and there have been born to his union six children: Claude, Ernest, Wilbur, Victor, Kate and Virgie. The Doctor owns a farm of 200 acres adjoining Bedford, and is a Royal Arch Mason. (Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 6th ed.,1887, Trimble Co.)

Notes: The Wm. F. Coombs Manuscript identifies Lucy as the daughter of Jesse & Nancy SANFORD Combs, mentioning both her marriage to Thomas B. HANCOCK (23 Jan 1822, Henry KY) and her son, Dr. Jesse HANCOCK of Trimble Co KY. Also note that RW Soldier Robert COMBS of Loudoun and Fauquier Cos VA referred to his Commanding Officer Simon HANCOCK.
Dudley J. SHOUSE was born in Woodford County, Ky., May 30, 1819, the youngest of seven children born to Thomas and Susan (DUVALL) Shouse. Thomas was a native of South Carolina, and a son of John SHOUSE, of the same
State, who came to Kentucky at any early date, settled in Woodford County, and lived there, a farmer, the remainder of his life. Thomas participated inthe
battle of Tippecanoe, under Gen. HARRISON, was badly wounded in that battle, and, though he lived for some years, died from the effects. Oursubject was brought up on a farm, and in early life attended the common country schools, and later the Marion College at Marion, Mo. In 1839 hecame to Henry County, and devoted himself to school teaching. April 21,1845, he was married to Mary A. COMBS, a daughter of William W. and Nancy (SANDFORD) Combs, a well known and highly respected familyof Henry County. To this union have been born ten children--four daughters and six sons: Mary V., William T., James., Nannie, Daniel, Sanford T., Newton C., Fannie, Ernest and Sophronia. Daniel and Sanford T. are dead; Earnest is now a student at the Baptist Theological Seminary and will graduate in theology in 1888. Our subject purchased land in Henry County in 1846, and has since lived on same. He now owns 200 acres of valuable land, which is well improved, in Sulphur, Henry County. He was in the employ of the United States Government for more than twenty-five years, as an internal revenue officer until 1886, when he resigned the duties of his position. He and all his
family are members of the Baptist Church. He is a Master Mason. Politically he is a Republican, but was formerly a Whig. Kentucky: A History of the
State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 6th ed., 1887, Henry Co.)

Notes: According to the William F. Coombs Manuscript, "...Adaline [Coombs, daughter of William Webb and Nancy SANFORD Coombs], who married Dudley SHOUSE, live[s] in Sulphur, Henry Coounty."
1887(Henry Co, KY) "Prof. John S. STAPP was born October 29,1830, the youngest of three sons born to Robert P. AND Mildred (DUERSON) Stapp, and is of French descent. His father was born in Madison County, Ky., May 15, 1798, and was by profession a lawyer. He served as magistrate of Madison County for many years; was a member of the Christian Church, and a good
citizen. He died June 12, 1887, in the ninetieth year of hisage. His mother was born in Spottsylvania [sic] County, Va., November 17, 1804. She
was a consistent member of the Christian Church, and died August 14, 1879. Grandfather Reuben STAPP was a native of North Carolina, came to Kentuckyin an early day andsettled on Silver Creek, Madison County, where he died in 1840. He took anactive part in the war of 1812. Our subject's maternal grandfather, John DUERSON, a native of Virginia, came to Kentucky when quite young, and settled in Boyle County, near Danville, and afterward removed to Madison County, where he spent the remainder of his life on a farm. Our subject remained on the farm until he was twenty years old. He then entered Kirksville Seminary, Madison County, and pursued the English branches for two years. The then entered Burritt College, in
Spencer, Van Buren Co., Tenn., and remained one year. He also passed a year in the University of Missouri, at Columbia, taking an irregular course, afterwhich he entered the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, from which he graduated with high honors in 1859. Since that time he has given his entire attention to letters. In 1883 he founded Home College, of Campbellsburg, which was chartered the year following, an institution well known throughout Kentucky. Since its organization Dr. STAPP has been its efficient president, and to whose energy is due the success of the institution. He was united in marriage, December 20, 1859, with Mattie BROADHURST, an estimable and educated lady, and a graduate of Daughters' College, of
Harrodsburg. She is a daughter of President R. A. BROADHURST, who was for a long time president of the Kentucky Female Orphan School. One son and four daughters were born to their union: ROBERT A. born April 12, 1861, a graduate of Haydensville College; JENNIE M., born November12, 1863, a graduate of the same college,and who married W. R. WATKINS, of Louisville; MATTIE M.,born April 3,1865, and who married Rev. G. H. COOMBS; JOHN, born August 15, 1867,and died March 15, 1872; MAY, born May 5, 1870,and died Jun 20 following; RENO L., born March 9, 1873, and LOUISE H., born June 10, 1884. Prof. STAPPis a member of the Christian Church. Politically he is a Democrat. (Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin,
& Kniffin, 6th ed.,1887) SW:STEPP

Note: See biography below for Rev. George H. COOMBS; he was identified in the William F. Coombs Manuscript as the son of William Pryor & Unknown CAMPBELL Coombs and grandson of Jesse and Nancy SANFORD Coombs, stating, "George H. COOMBS is a prominent preacher of the Christian Church, and lives in Kansas City [Clay&
Jackson Cos], Missouri."
22 Apr 1905Christian Standard extracted by Linda Berney

COOMBS
Just as the world was being relieved from winter's icy embrace, and the first springtime songs were greeting us, our dear brother, W. T. Combs,
was set free from his earthly tabernacle, and taken up home, where all winter is past and eternal spring abides. Bro. Combs was born in Kentucky.
He attained the ripe age of threescore and twelve years. He was loved by all who knew him. He thought evil of no one, and his closest friends say they never heard him speak a harsh word. It was in his domestic life that his virtues showed to best advantage. We have never seen two lives more completely blended than were his and that of his wife, who survives him. They have two sons -- Geo. H., for twelve years the beloved pastor of Independence Avenue Church, and Dr. J. T. a young physician in this city, who is possessed of great possibilities in his profession.
Nine years ago Bro. And Sister Combs moved to this city that they might be with their sons. Bro. Combs' faith never faltered to the end. He seemed to have had a presentiment that he was soon to go, so he wrote a letter to be read after his death, in which he gave each one of his family his parting blessing. He asked that his body be taken back to Kentucky and laid to rest in the old cemetery at Campbellsburg, Ky. It was accompanied by his wife and son, George H. A large company of old friends met him at the grave. May the good Father give comfort to his dear ones that are left behind, and especially may his comfort be sweet to the broken-hearted wife, out of whose home has gone one of the best and best loved of husbands. -- Kansas City, Mo. -- J. J. Morgan

editor's note: This is probably William Pryor Combs. His son George H. Combs resided in Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO See history on John S. Stapp below.
Biography of George Hamilton Combs (extracted by Linda Berney from Moore, W. T. (editor), The New Living Pulpit of the Christian Church: A Series of Discourses, Doctrinal and Practical, by Representative Men among the Disciples of Christ, St. Louis Christian Board of Publication, 1918. Pages 151-152. Online edition copyright 1998, James
L. McMillan.

Born - Campbellsburg, Kentucky, July 27, 1864.

Parents - William Pryor and Elizabeth Frances Combs.

Married - December 23, 1885 to Martha Miller Stapp

Education - Fairmount College, Home College, Kentucky University, Ph.D from
Wooster University in 1887, LL.D. degree from Drake University in 1897.

Resided: Shelbyville, Kentucky for 5 years, Kansas City after January 1,
1893.

Occupation - Preacher, author of 4 books

Note: Rev. George H. COOMBS, identified in the William F. Coombs Manuscript as the son of William Pryor & Unknown CAMPBELL Coombs and grandson of Jesse and Nancy SANFORD Coombs, stating, "George H. COOMBS is a prominent preacher of the Christian Church, and lives in Kansas City [Clay& Jackson Counties], Missouri."

The following COMBS Families with Henry KY Roots are not yet identified:

1887 (Oldham County, KY) "Ben. S. ROBBINS, attorney at law, LaGrange, was born in Henry County, Ky., January 29, 1851, the eldest of nine children born to Abel M. and Robina J. (SPURGIN) Robbins. Abel M. ROBBINS was a son of Abel ROBBINS, a native of North Carolina, but one of the first settlers of Henry County, Ky. Robina SPURGIN was a daughter of Berry F. and Louise (EWING) Spurgin, early settlers in Henry County. Abel M. was married in 1849, followed farming the greater part of his life, but not resides in LaGrange, Ky., and is a Government storekeeper. Our subject was reared on the farm, and in early life attended the Kentucky Wesleyan University at Millersburg, but previous to this he had taught school a year or so. In 1873 he commenced the practice of law at Falmouth, Ky., and was admitted to the bar at that place. He remained there a little more than a year, and moved to Leitchfield, Ky., remaining there until 1878, when he moved to LaGrange, Ky., where he has been constantly engaged in the practice of his profession ever since, and has attainedmore than an ordinary degree of success. In 1881 he was elected State Senator from Oldham, Henry, Trimble and Carroll Counties, and served four years during which time he was chairman of the celebrated caucus which nominated Joe Blackburn for the United States Senate from Kentucky. He also servedas chairman pro tem, while in the Senate, for some time. August 31, 1870, he married Miss Sallie N. MARTIN, daughter of Luther and Fannie (COOMBS) Martin of Henry County. Four children
were born to this union: Minnie A., Emma B., Robina C. and Lucy T. Emma B. is deceased. Mr. ROBBINS is a member of the F. & A. M., and
politically is a Democrat. He was elector at large in 1884 for the Democratic State ticket in Kentucky, and made an active canvass of the same in Kentucky and Indiana. (Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 6th edition,1887, Oldham Co.)

Notes: Fanny COMBS may have been Frances Catherine, daughter of William W. and Nancy SANFORD Combs although her 1847 marriage
record states she married a Thomas M. MARTIN, not a Luther MARTIN. No marriage record has been found; however, according to the William F. Coombs
manuscript, Frances married twice, and the second marriage would not be indexed Combs. Also Note: Researcher Barry Miller is actively researching the Combs-Martins and additional will be added in this respect shortly.

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